Long Straight in Shots

Tennesseejoe

Tennesseejoe

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When practicing these, it's usually easy to get in the groove and make them consistently. However in a game it seems difficult to make them when they infrequently come up. There have been many suggestions on this forum on how to increase the consistency but I haven't been as successful as I would like, until now.

When I line up the shot straight in I then re-aim to the right of the pocket and then re-aim to the left of the pocket. Now I'm ready to shoot.This seems to put the aim in perspective and the straight in shot is much more consistent.

I'm not an instructor --- but thought some of you may like to try it.
 
Good idea. I'm gonna give it a whack. I think it's more due to my tard stroke than finding the aiming line but you never know. I also found I do better staring at the cb throughout the stroke to make sure I hit center.
 
I like that idea. I do something similar as a gut check when I'm faced with a kick shot that just doesn't feel right. I "triangulate" the kick -- I pick an aim point that I know will go too long, then I pick an aim point that I know will go too short. Somewhere in the middle is my correct aim point. This helps calibrate my aim if I feel like I'm not seeing the shot correctly.

On long straight in shots I've also found it helpful to aim for the very top or very bottom of the object ball. It's easier for me to define the target that way.
 
TSW said:
On long straight in shots I've also found it helpful to aim for the very top or very bottom of the object ball. It's easier for me to define the target that way.
Click to expand...

This is what I do also.

Still miss nearly half the time..
 
Tennesseejoe said:
When practicing these, it's usually easy to get in the groove and make them consistently. However in a game it seems difficult to make them when they infrequently come up. There have been many suggestions on this forum on how to increase the consistency but I haven't been as successful as I would like, until now.

When I line up the shot straight in I then re-aim to the right of the pocket and then re-aim to the left of the pocket. Now I'm ready to shoot.This seems to put the aim in perspective and the straight in shot is much more consistent.

I'm not an instructor --- but thought some of you may like to try it.
Click to expand...

Thats fine and dandy but if you don't hit center cue ball you can miss the shot because of the throw effect. My point is you can have the shot lined up dead straight and miss it because of english that is accidently applied to the cue ball.

In my mind both things need to be considered when playing a long straight shot. Center ball hit and proper alignment.
 
I have always overlapped the object ball with the cue ball.

Your subconscious will allow you to make the ball even if it is within a half diamond off from straight in to the pocket.
 
Thanks for the idea.

I'll try anything to improve long, straight shots...my nemesis.

Of course, when I do pocket the OB, the CB usually follows it in 2 seconds later.
 
I'm not trying to give anyone a plug here, just relaying what I do.
I aim mine at the right pocket point and cue the ball a hair to the left or you can aim to the left point and cue the ball slightly on the right. On a long straight shot accidently striking the CB a little off center will almost always cause a miss.
 
Not sure the value of complicating a simple process.
The dreaded straight in shots are often missed by the eye being drawn to the pocket rather than the object ball.
 
Many interesting ideas, I focus on the spot on the ob then try to follow through with my tip right towards that spot, works pretty good for me!
 
tough for me

Those long straight in shots are tough for me. I just try to use a good stroke and speed control. Every once in ahile I make one.
 
I shoot about 30 straight in shots when I first start to get warmed up to see if I have any giddy up in my stroke. The final four or five I line up dead straight the OB about three diamonds for the CB. I then shoot the OB into the corner and draw the CB back into the corner behind the CB. If you can make that shot consistently then your drawing and shooting dead straight. One of my favorite ways to get loose...
 
I sometimes have a problem with them, too.
I think it's the pressure that is brought to bear knowing that a miss will sell out a few balls. :)
 
Straight in

bdorman said:
Thanks for the idea.

I'll try anything to improve long, straight shots...my nemesis.

Of course, when I do pocket the OB, the CB usually follows it in 2 seconds later.
Click to expand...

Happens to everyone sometimes. However it does mean you are stroking very well! Following long straight ins into the pocket is a good stroke trainer. Easy when ob is close to hole but more difficult when ob is several feet away. I always begin practicing with long straight ins to get stroking. Stop shot long shots will of course not follow in and also stunning the cue ball.i think it's easier for most folks to cut long shots. Easier to measure. No room for error on straight ins. One of my mantras is ANGLE! ANGLE! ANGLE!! Having angle allows options.
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
Happens to everyone sometimes. However it does mean you are stroking very well! Following long straight ins into the pocket is a good stroke trainer. Easy when ob is close to hole but more difficult when ob is several feet away. I always begin practicing with long straight ins to get stroking. Stop shot long shots will of course not follow in and also stunning the cue ball.i think it's easier for most folks to cut long shots. Easier to measure. No room for error on straight ins. One of my mantras is ANGLE! ANGLE! ANGLE!! Having angle allows options.
Click to expand...

wow, when did you come with the "angle mantra" haha jk
 
peteypooldude said:
I'm not trying to give anyone a plug here, just relaying what I do.
I aim mine at the right pocket point and cue the ball a hair to the left or you can aim to the left point and cue the ball slightly on the right. On a long straight shot accidently striking the CB a little off center will almost always cause a miss.
Click to expand...
have you beem talking with cj ? sounds familiar
 
No such thing as an easy shot

Just shooting a straight shot can mess with your head. You get to the table and say..nice,an 8 ft straight stop shot. If I dog the easiest shot on the table the railbirds will be yapping.he dogged a straight in shot,,,straight in.( Just Kidding)
No such thing as an easy shot.
I constantly shoot them to check myself for alignment and everything else that matters.
I might shoot 50 running the rail.7-8 ft...stop,full draw....follow
50 more diagonal corner to corner placing the cueball in the jaws shooting jacked up, stop shot and slow roll.
 
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